TOP BOTTLES
Victoria Moore on the best 20 wines and spirits to keep and to give as gifts
But they’re not all for you! Half are the sort of wines it’s useful to have around the house at this time of year – good-value reds and whites, a brilliant own-label champagne, a cheaper house fizz and a gorgeous port. The other half make good presents. I’ve hunted out styles with a broad appeal To have at home
2 Tesco Finest Cotes de Gascogne Plaimont Producteurs 2017 France (£6.50, Tesco) Juicy, like biting into a pink grapefruit; and crisp, like a green apple. This white from Gascony is made from the colombard and gros manseng grapes. It’s a good sauvignon blanc alternative, and it makes fab spritzers.
1 Tesco Finest PX Sherry (£6, 37.5cl, Tesco) It’s sherry, but not as you know it. This is an exceptionally sweet, molasses-dark, rich drink that tastes of liquidised raisins and black treacle. Serve poured over ice cream, like the De Bortoli Pudding Wine on p160.
3 Taste the Difference Languedoc Rouge 2017 France (£7, Sainsbury’s) The red sibling of the Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Languedoc White is also made by Domaines Paul Mas, and it’s equally good value – a figgy blend of grenache, syrah and carignan. Handy in the kitchen.
5 Sandeman Late Bottled Vintage 2013 Portugal (£16.99 Waitrose & Partners, on offer at £13.59 from 7-27 Nov) The trick to getting the most out of port is to pour it on a cold night to enjoy its rich prune, cedar and spicy flavours.
4 Cuvée Royale Brut NV Crémant de Limoux, France (£11.99, Waitrose & Partners, on offer at £8.99 from 7-27 Nov) Limoux is a beautiful region, situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees, renowned for its extremely good sparkling wine. This is made in the same way as champagne, using two of the same grapes (chardonnay and pinot noir) plus a little (bracing) chenin blanc. Think digestive biscuits with orchard fruit and zesty lemon.
7 Les Pionniers Champagne Brut NV France (£18.99, Co-op) Consistently one of the best own-label champagnes around, this is always a treat to pour. If you can trade up to the vintage at £26.99 then do – it’s worth it. But both are excellent.
6 Albacea Jumilla Monastrell 2017 Spain (£10, selected Co-op stores) A mighty red, bold in flavour (blackberries, blueberries and wood spice) and alcohol (it’s 15% but doesn’t feel it) and made from old vine monastrell. Superb.
8 Château Teyssier 2012 Montagne Saint-emilion France (£18.50, Berry Bros & Rudd) Doesn’t everyone want a splash-out red to sip over the holidays? It is Christmas after all. Sumptuous (this is mainly merlot, with 12% cabernet sauvignon and 2% cabernet franc) and effortless to drink. There’s a lot of wine for your money here.
10 Taste the Difference Languedoc Blanc Grenache-marsannevermentino 2017 France (£7, Sainsbury’s)
A favourite house white of mine for some time. Vermentino brings a hint of fresh green, the grenache a soft texture, and marsanne, very subtle hints of apricots and almond blossom.
9 Hill-smith Estate Chardonnay 2017 Eden Valley, Australia (£11.99, Waitrose & Partners) There is something very moreish about contemporary Australian chardonnay. Think oatmeal and bright lemon, and bring out the smoked salmon.